Germany coach Joachim Loew has watched Gnabry on several occasions, and, in November, praised his “exceptional qualities” and hinted at a surprise inclusion in his World Cup squad this summer.

Speaking to Die Welt, Gnabry has said that he has opted to play for Germany instead of Ivory Coast, the native country of his father, former international Jean-Hermann Gnabry.

“Since I have played for the Germany youth teams, it is no question for me that I want to play for Germany by any means. I hope that I can make the leap into the first team,” Gnabry said.

But the Arsenal midfielder, one of four Germans in the Arsenal squad, said that now is not the time to think about international football. “I am fully focused on Arsenal in order to win minutes there,” Gnabry said.

“Because to be honest: If that does not happen, making the national team will be extremely difficult. We will see what happens in the future."

Ahead of the Champions League tie with the German giants Bayern Munich, Gnabry also had his say about the chances of making it into the quarterfinals of the competition.

“We have respect for Bayern as the title holders. But that does not mean that we are not capable of throwing them out of the competition,” Gnabry said.